Vehicle bxjmper



June 0, 1924. 1,497,227

E. PROMEN ET AL I VEHI CLE BUMPER Filed May 12 INVENTOR i' By k ww? kann' ATTORNEYS Patented June l 0, 1924.

UNITED STATES EMIL PRoMEN ANI) WILLIAM N. rnoMEN, or DETROIT, MI'cr'IIGAN.

VEHICLE BUMPER Application 4filed May 12, 1923. Serial No. 638,439.

T 0 (LZZ 107mm fait' may concern Be it known that we, EMIL PnoMnN and V'ILLLIAM N. PnoMnN, citizens of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne, State of Michigan, have made acertain new and useful Invention in Vehicle Bum-pers, of which the following is a specification. n u

VThis invention relates to vehicle bumpers and has for its object the provision of a bumper for use in connection with vehicles, such, for illustration, as automobiles, which simpleA in structure, efficient in operation and economical of manufacture.

The object of the invention is1 to provide a bumper of novel and efiicient design wherein, with but few parts, maximum resiliency and strength are obtained with an even distribution of the strain of impact distributed tliroughout the same.

A further object of the invention is to pro'- videA a bumper which will permit a complete compression thereof to a point `.where the rear bar truss can be stressed and elongatet1 parallel tol the' front bar, but will as soon as pressure on the front bai" is removed rebound to its original position.

Further objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter. '1

The invention consists substantially in the con-struction, combination, location and relative arrangement ofA parts, all as will be mOre fully hereinafter set forth, as shown iii the accompanying drawing and .finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawing:h

F ig. l is a view in front elevation of a bumper embodying our invention.

Fig-2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3, F ig. l, and looking in the direction of the arrows.-

Fig. -t is a view in side elevation showing theend retainer assembly employed in ac- I"crdance with our invention.

present invention to provide a bumper which' Willpermit effectingl a complete compression of the bumper to a point where the rear bar truss canv be stressed and elongated parallel to the front rbar and will, when compression on the front bar is removed, rebound to' its original position. To accomplish this, we so construct the rear bar truss as to permit longitudinal traverse. This longitudinal traverse may be effected at any point onl the rear bar truss to permit the same to assume the form of a straight bar or bars, as desired, under complete depression.

lVhile we have shown and will now describe an arrangement whichl permits traverse at the approximate ends of they rear bar truss relative to the vfront bar, we do not desirev to be limited or restricted in this'respe'ct, as it will be apparent to those skilled in the art with the knowledge acquired herefrom, that traverse of the rear bar relative to the front bar may be effected at any desired point. y

Similarly, we do not desire to be limited or restrictedto the particular means selected for iilustrationfor effecting the longitudinal traverse of the rear bar truss relative to' the front bar, as it will be apparentV to those skil'ledin the art that this may be accompl'islied by various means.

Referring to the drawing, wherein as hereinbeforestated, we have selected a simple buteliicient structure embodying the principles of our invention, reference character 'l designates the front bar or bars of the bumper structure and is provided with what we will term a center clamp. assembly 2 located at the approximate center thereof and end retainer assemblies 3, which assemblies aIre employed for supporting the' rear bar truss 4 which may consist .of one or more individual bars. The rear 'bar truss construction is of double reverse sweep, as shown best in Fig. 2, in which the radii of the rearward sweep and the forward sweep are preferably identical or nearly so. This is preferable Aso aste effect equal libre stresses at all pointsk under impact. The center clamp assembly in the construction shown includes two' clamps of identical construction but positioned inverted with respect to each other. This' clamp'. as shown in Fig. 6 and in the remainder of the figures,

Vvis designated by reference character 5. These clamps are utilized to fasten the rear bar truss to the front bars at the center of the bumper and consist of a metal strip formed in the shape of a U with a portion 6 of one wall thereof punched through at one end and bent out to an angle of approXimately degrees in the direction of the open end of the U. The extreme end of said portion 6 is still further bent to an angle of approximately thirty degrees. The two U shaped clamps are slipped over the front bars and held in place by rivets 7. In this position the rear bar 4 is slipped between the portions of the clamps 6 which are bent out, as above described, and. since there is no connection between the upper and lower clamps, by inserting one or more bolts 8 in the orifices 9 provided in the portions 6 of the clamps 5 and tightening the same, the rear bar truss is fastened securely at the center, thereby avoiding the possibility of shifting at the center in the case of impact at one end of the bumper only. While traverse movement of the rear bar truss may be desired relative to the center clamp of the front bar in some arrange ments, in the arrangement selected for illustration of oui1 invention we find it prefer able to prevent shifting of the rear bar truss relative to the front bar at their centers, for if shifting at the center in this arrangement were permitted the forward sweep would not be stressed and due to its rotary traverse the force of the impact would be transmitted to the opposite rear sweep, resulting in much loss of resistance.

The ends of the rear bar trussare formed in half loops which are slidably held in the end retainer assemblies. The end retainer assembly which is clearly shown in Fig. 5, comprises a stamping l2 having a bent over portion 40 which provides a space between the body of the stamping and the under surface of the portion 40, as shown, whereby the ends of the front bars are positioned in said space and can be clampedV therein. T he portion 40 has two spaced lugs or ears 14 'between which. the rear1 bar truss is located as shown in Fig. 7. A bolt 11 extends between the ears or lugs 14 to form an anchor to cooperate with the half loops at the ends of the rear bar truss when in normal posi-- tion. k that to position the bolts ll in the end retainer assemblies, it is necessary to forcibly elongate the rear bar truss, for example by depressing the same out of its normal sweep,

rlhis process of placing the rear bar truss under load is both novel and important and possesses many advantages. The process consists of so formingthe rear bar truss that it must be forcibly bent to elongate it sufficiently to enable it to be assembled. By this means we obtain greater ultimate resistance with comparatively short span between the front bar and the rear bar truss, whereas with a rear bar truss that is not placed under load, the span between the resistance.

With this arrangement it will be seen backward and forward movement, would necessarily have to be much greater to obtain the same ultimate resistance, as it will be understood that a spring in its first stages of compression offers comparatively little This superfluous movement is eliminated in our construction by the partial compression in assembly and enables us to reduce the span between the front bar and the rear bar truss.

lt will be seen from the foregoing that we have supplied a bumper structure which permits longitudinal traverse of the ends of the rear bar truss relative to the front bar.

This traverse is more pronounced at the ends o the truss and in the sense that it is not obstructed the traverse is unlimited. Of course, the degree of curvature ofy the rear truss limits the amount of traverse possible.

The hanger retainer assembly is exceedingly simple and eiiicient and consists of the retainer 20, which is a substantially U-shaped stamping (see Figs. 2 and 4), which passes over the rear bar truss 4 and is provided at its ends with aligned orifices. Another member, U-shaped in side elevation as shown at 2l but provided with top and bottom ears 22, is provided, and the U-shaped member 20 has one leg thereof extending through the top and bottom portions of the member 2l, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4, whereby the rear bar truss is positioned lbetween the front face of the .member 2l and the rear face of one leg of the member 20. A bolt 30 is thereafter passed through the orices of the respective legs of the member 2O and a clamping connection is thereby ef fected to rigidly aiiix the member 21 to the rear bar truss. The member 21 is provided with orifices 3l therein to permit attachmentv to the vehicle.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that we have provided an exceedingly simple bumper of correct mechanical design to eect a maximum resistance with a minimum of parts and wherein the manufacture and assembling thereof is greatly facilitated, thereby making theA bumper',v while efficient, economical of manufacture and sale. i

It will be further seen that we have provided a bumper wherein the various assembly parts are of simplified construction and novel design. As previously stated, many modifications and changes in details will readily occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention as defined in the claims, and as previously stated we therefore desire to have the drawings and specification regarded in an illustrative sense rather than in a limiting sense, but having now set forth `the objects and the nature of our invention and having shown and described a structure embodying the principles thereof, what Withv a front bar, of a rear bar truss formed We claim as newv and useful and of our own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1.-Y In a bumper structure, the combination With a front bar and a rear bar truss formed with a curve therein and carried thereby, supporting connections between the ends ot said bars, said supporting connections in-l cluding means for permitting longitudinal traverse of one of saidbars relative to the otheriupon impact on said front bar, the said vtraverse being limited only by the curved bartruss becoming straight.

2. In a bumper structure, the combination With a front bar and a rear bar truss formed with a curve therein, means Yfor supporting said bar and said rear bar truss with respect to eachotherwhereby the ends of said truss are slidably carried by the ends of said bar, and means for permitting a slid` ing elongation of said truss relative to said barupon impact` on said bar, the extent of elongation being limited only by the curved bar truss becoming straight.

3. In a bumper structure, the combination With a front bar, of a rear'bar truss formed with a curve therein, means for slidably supporting Isaid bars with respect to each other, the relative movement of said bars s being-limited only by the curved truss bar becoming' straight.

l. In a bumperstructure, the combination with a front bar, of a rear bar truss formed Witha .curve therein,l means for slidably supportingsaid bars with respect to each other,the 4relative movement of said bars beingy limited 'only by the curved truss bar becoming straight and normally opposed by the curved rearbar truss.

l 5. In a bumper structure, the combination withV a curve therein, means for slidably supporting said bars'with respect to each other, the relative ino-vement of said bars y being limited only. by the curved truss bar becoming straight su )ortino means' norb C b mally imposing a tension on said rear bar truss.

6. In a bumper structure, the combination With a front bar, of a rear bar truss formed with a plurality of curves therein of substantially the same radius, alternate curvatures being opposite in direction, and means for supporting said truss by said bar whereby substantial longitudinal traverse of said truss relative to said bar is permitted. 7. In a bumper structure, the combination With a front bar, of a rear bar truss formed With a plurality of curves therein of substantially the same radius, alternate curvatures being opposite in direction, and means for supporting the ends of said truss by said bar whereby substantial longitudinal traverse of the ends of said truss relative to said bar is permitted.

8. In a bumper structure, the combination with a frontbar, of a rear bar truss formed with a plurality of curves therein of sub-r stantially the same radius, alternate curvatures being opposite in direction", and-means 'for supportingr the said truss in contact with said bar at the ends and approximate center of said truss, and means 'for permitting substantial longitudinal traverse of said truss relative to said bar.

9. In a bumper structure, the combination with a front bar, of a rear bar truss' formed with a plurality of curves therein of substantially the same radius, alternate curvatures being opposite in direction, means for supporting the said' truss in contact with said bar at the ends and approxi# mate center of said bar,.and means for per mitting substantial longitudinal traverse of said truss relative to said bar.

l0. In a bumper structure, theco'mbilnation with a front bar and a curved rear bar truss carried thereby, supporting connections between the ends oi' saidV bars, said supporting'- connections including means for permitting longitudinal traverse ofy one-of said bars relative to the other uponr impacton said front bar, the said traverse being. limited only by the curved bar truss' becoming straight, and means carried by said rear bar truss for attaching the bumpertova' vehicle.

ll. In a bumper structure, the combination with a frontbar anda rear bar truss formed with a curve therein, means for sup=10o porting said bar and said rear bar trusswitlr respect to each other whereby the `ends ofsaid truss are slidably carried by the ends of said bar7 means for permitting a slidingelongationl oi" said truss relative to said bar 105 upon impact on said bar, the extent of elon'- gation being limited only by theV curved bar truss becoming straight, and means carried by said rear bar truss for attaching the bumper to a vehicle.

l2. In a bumper structure, the combination with a front bar, of a rear bar truss formedwith a curve therein, means for-slideably supporting said bars with respect to each other, the relativemovement of .sai-d: 115.

bars being limited only by the curved truss bar becoming straight, and means carried by said rear bar truss for attaching the bumper to a vehicle.

13. In a bumper structure, the combination with a front bar, of a rear bar truss formed With a curve therein, means for slid ably supporting said bars with respect to each other, the relative movement of said bars beingl limited only by the curved truss bar becoming straight and normally opposed by the curved rear bar truss. and means carried by said rear bar truss for attaching the bumper to a vehicle.

14. In a bumper structure, the combination with a front bar, of a rear bar truss formed With a curve therein, means for slidably supporting said bars with respect to each other, the relative movement of said 1: bars being limited only by the said curved e curvatures being z" curvatures Vbeing opposite xmeans for supporting the ends of said truss bar truss becoming straight, said supporting means normally imposing a tension on said rear bar truss, and means carried by said rear bar truss for attaching the bumper to a vehicle.

15. Ina bumper structure, the combination with a front bar, of a rear bar truss formed with a plurality of curves therein of substantially the same radius, alternate opposite in direction, means for supporting said truss by said bar whereby substantial longitudinal traverse ot' said truss relative to said bar is permitted, and means carried by said truss for attaching the bumper to a vehicle.

- 16. In a bumper structure, the combination with a front bar, of a rear bar truss formed with a plurality of curves therein of substantially the same radius, alternate inV direction,

. by said bar whereby substantial longitudinal of substantiall traverse of the ends of said truss relative to said bar is permitted, and means carried by said truss for attaching the bumper to a vehicle.

17. In a bumper structure, the combination with a front bar, of a rear bar truss formed with a plurality of curves therein the saine radius, alternate curvatures being opposite in direction, means for supporting the said truss in contact with said bar at the ends and approximate center of said truss, means for permit ting substantial longitudinal traverse of said truss relative to said bar, and means carried by said truss for attaching the bumper to a vehicle.

18.`In a bumper structure, the combination with a front bar, of a rear bar truss formed with a plurality of curves therein of substantially the saine radius, alternateV curvatures being i opposite in direction, means for supporting the said truss in contact with said bar at the ends and approximate center of said bar, means for permitting substantial longitudinal traverse of said truss relative to said bar, and means carried by said truss for attaching the bumper to' a vehicle.

19. In 'a bumper structure, the combination with a frontv bar, and a rear bar truss carried thereby, means for permitting substantial longitudinal traverse of said truss relative to said barI upon impact on said bar, and interlocking metal clamped to said truss and to each other for forming means of attachment of the bumper to a vehicle.

20. In a bumper structure, the combination withV a front bar, of a rear bar truss of spring steel curved with respect thereto, and means 'for supporting said rear bar truss in contact with said front bar to permit the straightening of said truss relative to said bar when pressure is exerted on said bar, said straightening being limited only by the extent of curvature of said truss.

21. In a bumper structure, the combination with a front bar, of a rear bar truss of spring steel curved with respect thereto, and means for supporting said rear bar truss in contact with said front bar toY permit relative movement between said truss and bar when pressure is exerted on said bar, said movement being limited only by the extent of curvature of said truss.

22. In a bumperstructure, the combination with a front bar and a rear bar truss normally carried under tension thereby and permitting substantial longitudinal traverse of said truss relative .to said bar upon impact on said bar.

23. In a bumper structure, the combination with a spring steel front bar and 4a spring steel bar truss, normally carried under tension thereby and permitting substantial longitudinal traverse of said truss relative to said bar upon impact on said bar.

In testimony whereof wenhave hereunto set our hand on this 30th day of April, A. D. 1923. l

EMIL PROMEN. WM. N. PROMEN.

stampings 

